Friday, February 17, 2006

Handicapped Parking Controversy in Raleigh

A Raleigh city committee is leaning toward raising public awareness in response to local business owners' allegations that some motorists are abusing handicapped parking privileges in downtown.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is lobbying for changes to the state law that allows cars with disabled parking placards to park in 15- and 30-minute parking zones for as long as they want."

We certainly want to do what we can to make things good for everybody," said James Benton, chairman of the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

As a result of a WRAL investigation, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker asked the committee to look into business owners' complaints and by the end of March come up with a solution that is fair for all motorists.